Dr. Rob Hynes
LSU
University of Florida Astronomy Colloquium - April 8th, 2009
Illuminating Black Hole and Neutron Star Binaries
All Galactic black hole and neutron star binaries are unresolved sources of light at this point. In order to map out the binary geometry and measure system parameters such as compact object masses, we must use indirect imaging techniques. I will describe how two techniques, Doppler tomography and echo-tomography, can be applied in these systems using reprocessed X-rays from the compact object to light up the outer regions of the binary. As well as presenting results from these studies I will discuss also some of the surprising results that have emerged along the way.